# Interpretation of the phosphorylation code of RNA polymerase II during eukaryotic transcription

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · 2020 · $346,966

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II (CTD) is a unique structure in eukaryotes that coordinates various
transcriptional factors to Pol II through its post-translational modifications. The simple consensus sequence of
CTD (Y1S2P3T4S5P6S7) is repeated many times consecutively and is mostly conserved. The phosphorylation of
the two SP motifs in the sequence has been identified to be essential for every round of transcription but the
other three residues, Y1, T4 and S7, also have functional implications during transcription. To understand the
molecular mechanism of these post-translational modifications of CTD on transcription modulation, we combine
a novel mass spectrometry methodology with biochemical and biophysical studies to investigate how the identity
and modification states of these three positions affect the post-translational modification states of RNA
polymerase II. We will then examine the consequences of altering the modification patterns of CTD on
transcription, which will allow us to understand this fundamental mechanism that regulates transcription.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9938632
- **Project number:** 5R01GM125882-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer S. Brodbelt
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $346,966
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9938632

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9938632, Interpretation of the phosphorylation code of RNA polymerase II during eukaryotic transcription (5R01GM125882-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9938632. Licensed CC0.

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